Former Arsenal star Paul Merson has predicted that Erik ten Hag will not survive until Manchester United’s trip to Anfield on December 17 if they should lose their next three games. 

United have had a tough time in the opening third of the season despite their perhaps surprising league position, and have been notably inconsistent across all competitions. 

In their last 10 outings, Ten Hag’s side have won five games against teams in the lower half of the table in Everton, Luton, Sheffield United and Fulham, as well as Copenhagen in the Champions League. 

Now, with three big games on the horizon in the next fortnight, Merson has suggested that Ten Hag could be gone before December 17’s clash with Liverpool.

Arsenal legend Paul Merson claimed Erik ten Hag could be gone by December 17’s trip to Liverpool

Erik ten Hag’s side have struggled for form losing four and winning five of their last 10 games

The Red Devils must beat Bayern Munich to have a chance of making the Champions League Last 16

The Red Devils face Chelsea on Wednesday before the visit of a Bournemouth side that have lost only once in their last four league games on Saturday, followed by a must-win clash with Bayern Munich three days later.

‘If they lose to Chelsea, Bournemouth, and Bayern, I don’t see how Ten Hag keeps his job,’ Merson claimed writing for Sportskeeda. 

‘I do think they’ll beat Bournemouth, however, and they could do well against a Bayern Munich side that has already qualified for the Round of 16.

‘Chelsea haven’t been great defensively, and Man United are all over the place. They let in three goals against Galatasaray and could’ve conceded ten against Newcastle.’

Saturday’s defeat at St. James’ Park was a particularly poor performance from United, who were outclassed by Eddie Howe’s side. 

‘I thought it was embarrassing,’ Merson added. ‘I was shocked by the way United played and the lack of effort they put in.’ 

The game was notable for a touchline spat between Ten Hag and Anthony Martial, while Marcus Rashford was ineffective once again in the game. 

‘I personally thought tonight there were signs that there were a couple of players in there for me that either wasn’t happy with the tactics that was put to them or wasn’t happy with their positions on the pitch,’ TNT Sports pundit Jermaine Jenas said. 

Jermaine Jenas offered a scathing assessment of Man United’s performance at Newcastle

Marcus Rashford was lacklustre in attack for the visitors and was duly hooked just after the hour mark

Anthony Martial’s performance also came in for criticism leading the line for United at Newcastle

‘The body language of a team tells you a lot at times and there were a few of them that were sending a message to the manager.

‘I thought today Marcus Rashford on that right hand side in particular, the way that he just walked around throwing his arms around was one for me that said “look, I don’t want to be playing on this right hand side”.

‘No tracking back, you had Martial getting ran by Fabian Schar from centre half doing whatever he wants. There was too many of those moments that I looked at and I thought he (Ten Hag) seems to be such a disciplinarian off the pitch but I didn’t see the same level of respect from the players on the pitch today and that’s a big concern.’

His co-pundit Ally McCoist added: ‘It’s got nothing to do with the manager. When you cross that white line, you’re playing for yourself and the supporters that have travelled.’